Kumarajiva, (Jiumoluoshi in Chinese), a philosopher and seer, had a long cherished mission: propagation of the true spirit of Buddhism. He broke political, geographical, cultural and linguistic barriers; travelled through barren lands and rivers, mountains and forbidding terrains to bequeath to us a casket of sacred sutras as the most authoritative presentations by translating them from Sanskrit into Chinese. He created pure, boundless and unthinkable versions of the sutras as an obeisance to the sacred voice so that one could bathe in the pure pond of the Dharma. Kumarajiva: Philosopher and Seer is a compendium of recent researches on the brilliance that ushers through his legacy, enshrined in thousands of monasteries in China, Korea and Japan, preserving the heritage - his translations of the sacred Sanskrit texts copied over the last sixteen centuries. The life of Kumarajiva was unique in every aspect. His works inspired members of Imperial houses, Emperors, writers and artists, pilgrims and philosophers. His angelic presence can still be felt in the monastic establishments, in the sound of recitation of sutras and in the lives of the people that have been inspired over the centuries by his translations. The researches done by scholars from world academia are included in the present volume on his date of birth, the towns and villages where he spent his life from childhood to nirvana, historically important events of his life, his contemporaries, his contribution to the cultural sphere of East Asia especially defining a new road for Mahayana Buddhism, philosophical theories and vision, comparative studies of his translations and echoes of his translations in Chinese literature.



Kumarajiva Philosopher and Seer, Shashibala, D.K. Printworld, Hardcover, 2015, 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches, 361 pages, $42.00

Dr. Shashibala, is a scholar in the areas of Buddhist art and iconography and cross cultural connection among Asian countries. As Research Professor at the International Academy of Indian Culture, New Delhi, founded by Prof. Raghu Vira, she has authored nine books on Art of the Shingon sect, Buddhist Art, Manifestations of Buddhas, Divine Art, Atisha and a biography of one of the world renowned scholar Late Prof. Raghu Vira. 60 research papers contributed by her on various subjects and presented at International conferences and seminars, have been published by various organizations in India and abroad. She taught History of Art for fifteen years at the National Museum Institute (a deemed University) New Delhi. As a researcher she has travelled to the USA, UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Russia, China, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Nepal, Bhutan etc. Her exhibitions, illustrated lectures, and radio broadcastings are highly acclaimed. At the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts she has organized international conferences and exhibitions on Kumarajiva and Atisa. Her well researched exhibitions on Sanskrit as Shared Heritage of Asia and Sanskrit and Indian Culture: Voyages are travelling in India and abroad. She worked as academic advisor and coordinator for organizing international seminars at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on Sanskrit on the Silk Route and Sanskrit through the Maritime Route . The publication of these proceedings is also in progress.